South Shields-born Kirkpatrick, known as The Man with the Donkey, rescued more than 300 Australian and New Zealand soldiers from the frontline during the Gallipoli campaign of 1915. He carried them to safety using his trusted donkey, Duffy, until he was killed aged 22 by a sniper’s bullet on May 19 that year. His legendary bravery has inspired generations of people and he is still highly regarded in Australia where his story is told to school children.

At the service, Mayor of South Tyneside Fay Cunningham led a one-minute silence at 11am and there was a rendition of The Last Post before a wreath was laid at the foot of the memorial.

The service was conducted by The Rev Paul Kennedy, of St Michael and All Angels Church, and was attended by local dignitaries, military organisations and children from Lord Blyton and Laygate primary schools.

Meanwhile, people in Berwick, in Northumberland, marked the role of local soldiers in two First World War actions.

The town was hosting events across the weekend to commemorate the role of local soldiers in the Gallipoli landings and the Battle of St Julien on April 25, 1915.

It was the first day of the ill-fated Gallipoli campaign, in which the 1st Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers, which had its headquarters at Berwick Barracks, landed at Cape Helles.

On the same day, the local Territorial Army unit for north Northumberland, the 7th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers took part in the Battle of St Julien, near Ypres on the Western Front.

A programme of displays, re-enactments and talks has been organised to mark the anniversaries and to illustrate Berwick’s contribution to the First World War at home and abroad.

Nationally, The Queen attended ceremonies marking the centenary of the Gallipoli campaign.

She took part in a two-minute silence before laying a wreath at the Cenotaph in Whitehall.

The Queen was joined by the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince William and party leaders at the memorial parade.

She later joined David Cameron at a service of remembrance at Westminster Abbey, where she laid a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior.

The Very Reverend Dr John Hall, Dean of Westminster, said in his bidding: “The landing of allied forces at Gallipoli exactly one hundred years ago today led to one of the bloodiest battles of the First World War.

“Alongside forces from Britain and her allies, troops from Australia and New Zealand fought together as the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps: ANZAC.

“We honour today the courage of the men at Gallipoli.

“The memory of the Great War provides for us warning and encouragement.

“We are warned that war must involve terrible suffering and death. We are encouraged by the spirit of national pride and determination shown by those we remember this Anzac Day.”

The High Commissioners of Australia and New Zealand, Alexander Downer and Sir Lockwood Smith respectively, gave readings from the bible.

While Turkey’s Ambassador Abdurrahman Bilgic read the famous message from Ataturk, his nation’s founding father, to bereaved pilgrims who visit the Gallipoli battle sites.

A second day of services is also took place in Australia, Turkey and New Zealand to mark the centenary.

The national flags of Australia, New Zealand, Turkey and the UK were carried through Westminster Abbey and placed close to the high altar as a sign of reconciliation between old enemies.

At dawn yesterday, the Prince of Wales, together with Prince Harry, attended a ceremony at the Anzac commemorative site in Turkey.

The eight-month campaign on the Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey was one of the bloodiest of the war and the first to involve troops from Australia and New Zealand.